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Ernie Hudson
American actor and former U.S. Marine

Ernie Hudson

The basics

Quick Facts

Intro
American actor and former U.S. Marine
A.K.A.
Earnest Lee Hudson
Gender
Male
Place of birth
Benton Harbor, Berrien County, Michigan, USA
Age
79 years
Family
Stats
Height:
1.8288 m
Education
Wayne State University
Detroit, Wayne County, USA
Yale School of Drama
New Haven, South Central Connecticut Planning Region, USA
Benton Harbor High School
Benton Harbor, Berrien County, USA
Notable Works
Ghostbusters II
 
Ghostbusters
 
Ernie Hudson
The details (from wikipedia)

Biography

Earnest Lee Hudson (born December 17, 1945) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Winston Zeddemore in the Ghostbusters franchise. Hudson has also acted in the films Leviathan (1989), The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992), The Crow (1994), Airheads (1994), The Basketball Diaries (1995), Congo (1995), Miss Congeniality (2000), and The Ron Clark Story (2006).

On television, his most prominent role was Warden Leo Glynn on HBO's Oz (1997–2003). Hudson has also appeared in the television shows St. Elsewhere (1984), The Last Precinct (1986), 10-8: Officers on Duty (2003–2004), Desperate Housewives (2006–2007), The Secret Life of the American Teenager (2008–2013), Law & Order (2009–2010), the voice of Agent Bill Fowler in Transformers: Prime (2010–2013), Franklin & Bash (2012–2014), Grace and Frankie (2015–2020), and L.A.'s Finest (2019–2020). From 2022 to 2024, Hudson appeared as Herbert "Magic" Williams on the NBC drama Quantum Leap.

Early life

Hudson was born in Benton Harbor, Michigan. He never knew his father. His mother, Maggie Donald, died of tuberculosis when he was two months old. He was subsequently raised by his maternal grandmother, Arrana Donald.

Hudson joined the U.S. Marine Corps immediately after high school but was discharged after only three months on medical grounds due to asthma. Having moved to Detroit, he became the resident playwright at Concept East, the oldest black theater company in the United States. He enrolled at Wayne State University to further develop his writing and acting skills, graduating in 1973. He established the Actors' Ensemble Theatre where he and other talented young black writers directed and appeared in their own works. He began a doctoral program at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities before leaving to appear in a stage production of The Great White Hope. Later, he studied toward a Master of Fine Arts in acting at Yale School of Drama, but left after a year to appear in Leadbelly.

In an interview with Belief.net, Hudson stated that he is a practicing Christian, but does not believe that "one church is the right one".

Career

Ernie Hudson
Hudson at the 2014 Florida Super Con

One of Hudson's early film roles is in Penitentiary II (1982) starring Leon Isaac Kennedy. He had various guest roles on television series such as The Dukes of Hazzard and The A-Team. He was on the television series Fantasy Island in a first-season episode as a voodoo man named Jamu. Hudson gained fame playing Winston Zeddemore in the 1984 feature film Ghostbusters and its 1989 sequel, Ghostbusters II. He auditioned to reprise the role for the animated series, The Real Ghostbusters, but it was given to Arsenio Hall. He had a major supporting role as the mentally challenged handyman Solomon in The Hand that Rocks the Cradle (1992).

Hudson was cast as Warden Leo Glynn on HBO's series Oz, and his son Ernie Hudson Jr. co-starred with him as Muslim inmate Hamid Khan. Hudson also appears as the character Munro in Congo (1995) and as Police Sergeant Albrecht in The Crow (1994). He switched gears when he played a preacher opening the eyes of a small town's prejudice in the 1950s in A Stranger in the Kingdom. He played Harry McDonald, the FBI superior of Sandra Bullock's character in the feature film Miss Congeniality (2000). He is in the Stargate SG-1 episode "Ethon" as Pernaux. He appeared as Reggie in the 1995 film The Basketball Diaries. In 2006, he appeared in the television film The Ron Clark Story as Principal Turner. In 2008, he began a recurring role as Dr. Fields on The Secret Life of the American Teenager. He had a recurring role on the final season of Law & Order as Lt. Anita Van Buren's boyfriend and then fiancé.

In 2011, he played Stuart Owens in Torchwood: Miracle Day.

Ernie Hudson
The handprints of Hudson are in front of the Great Movie Ride at Walt Disney World's Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park.

Beginning in 2015, Hudson was cast in a recurring role as Jacob, an organic farmer who is the romantic interest for Frankie Bergstein (Lily Tomlin) in the series Grace and Frankie.

Hudson appeared in the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot, playing Bill Jenkins, the uncle of Leslie Jones's lead character Pattie Tolan.

In 2019, Hudson began starring in L.A.'s Finest, playing the estranged father of Gabrielle Union's character. Hudson called it "a very different show", citing the duality of having to protect people as a member of law enforcement while having unresolved relationships that need to be reconciled. Spectrum canceled the series after two seasons the following year.

In August 2019, he confirmed his involvement in Ghostbusters: Afterlife directed by Jason Reitman, joining original cast members Sigourney Weaver, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Annie Potts. Hudson described himself as being welled by emotions after he put on his jumpsuit and proton pack, as he had previously "accepted that [a film] was never going to happen".

Hudson appeared in the 2022 drama film Prisoner's Daughter, alongside Kate Beckinsale and Brian Cox.

On March 8, 2022, Hudson was announced as the co-lead in NBC's Quantum Leap reboot.

In January 2023, Hudson guest voiced a character, Grini Millegi, a Dowutin gangster who was an associate of Cid and oversees Riot Racing on the planet Safa Toma, on Star Wars: The Bad Batch.

Personal life

Hudson married his first wife, Jeannie Moore, in 1963, when she was sixteen and he was eighteen. They had two sons, Ernie Hudson Jr. and Rahaman Hudson. When Hudson and Jeannie divorced in 1976, their sons moved to live with Hudson in California. In 1985, Hudson married former flight attendant Linda Kingsberg, and they had two sons, Andrew and Ross.

On June 8, 2024, a portion of South Fair Avenue (M-139) near Hudson's childhood home in Benton Harbor was given the honorary name "Ernie Hudson Way".

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1976LeadbellyArchie
The Human TornadoBo
1977Mad BullBart 'Black Bart'Television film
1978Last of the Good GuysEl ColiphTelevision film
1979The Main EventKiller
1980JoniEarl
The $5.20 an Hour DreamHomer BurdenTelevision film
White MamaCounsellorTelevision film
The OctagonQuinine
The Jazz SingerHeckler
1981A Matter of Life and DeathMr. HarrisonTelevision film
Underground AcesAfrican General
Crazy TimesHarold 'Jazzman' MalloyTelevision film
1982Penitentiary II'Half Dead'
1983Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden ZoneWashington
Going BerserkMuhammed Jerome Willy
Women of San QuentinCharles WilsonTelevision film
Two of a KindDetective Skaggs
1984GhostbustersWinston Zeddemore
National Lampoon's Joy of SexMr. Porter
1985California GirlsErnieTelevision film
Love on the RunLamarTelevision film
1987WeedsBagdad
1988The Dirty Dozen: The Fatal MissionJoseph HamiltonTelevision film
The Wrong GuysDawson
1989LeviathanJustin Jones
Collision Course'Shortcut'
Trapper County WarJefferson Carter
Ghostbusters IIWinston Zeddemore
1992The Hand That Rocks the CradleSolomon
1993Angel StreetThurman NickensTelevision film
The PitchVetShort
1994Sugar HillLolly Jonas
The CrowSergeant Daryl Albrecht
No EscapeHawkins
The Cowboy WayOfficer Sam 'Mad Dog' Shaw
AirheadsSergeant O'Malley
SpeechlessDan Ventura
1995The Basketball DiariesReggie
CongoCaptain Monroe Kelly
1996The SubstitutePrincipal Claude Rolle
Tornado!Dr. Joe BransonTelevision film
For Which He StandsDEA Agent Baxter
Just Your LuckWillieVideo
The Cherokee KidNat Love/Deadwood DickTelevision film
1997Operation Delta ForceTiptonTelevision film
Levitation'Downbeat'
CloverGaten HillTelevision film
Fakin' da FunkJoe Lee
Mr. MagooCIA Agent Gus Anders
A Stranger in the KingdomReverend Walter Andrews
1998ButterCurtis '8 Ball' Harris
Best of the Best 4: Without WarningDetective GreskoVideo
HijackSenator Douglas Wilson
October 22Arthur
1999Michael Jordan: An American HeroJames R. Jordan Sr.Television film
Shark AttackLawrence RhodesTelevision film
InterceptorMajor McKenzie
Stealth FighterPresident Westwood
Paper BulletsDetective Ron Mills
Miracle on the 17th GreenEarl FielderTelevision film
LillieLarry Miller
2000Nowhere to LandDanny GorlinTelevision film
Everything's JakeJake
Red LettersDetective Glen Teal
The WatcherFBI Special Agent Mike Ibby
Miss CongenialityFBI Assistant Director Harry McDonald
2001Walking Shadow'Hawk'Television film
A Town Without ChristmasTedTelevision film
2003Anne B. RealPrincipal Davis
2004Clifford's Really Big MovieP.T. (voice)
2005Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm SchoolBlake Rische
Lackawanna BluesDick BarrymoreTelevision film
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and FabulousFBI Assistant Director Harry McDonald
BathshebaNathanShort
Fighting the Odds: The Marilyn Gambrell StoryPerry BeasleyTelevision film
Halfway DecentTom
2006The Ron Clark StoryPrincipal TurnerTelevision film
Hood of HorrorRoscoe
2007Certifiably JonathanMuseum Guard
Nobel SonSergeant Bill Canega
All HatJackson Jones
Final ApproachAgent Lorenzo DawsonTelevision film
2008Pie'n BurgerCedricShort
Lonely StreetCaptain Morgan
2009Balancing the BooksDetective Carter
Dragonball EvolutionSifu Norris
Pastor BrownDeacon Harold Todd
2010Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' BallFBI Special Agent Anthony VejarVideo
Machete JoeSheriff Taylor
StasisStrangerShort
Game of DeathCatholic Priest
2011Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2Pedro (voice)Video
SugarwheelsProf. Zaccharine Ragus PhDShort
Deep Blue BreathLord Vater (voice)Short
2012Mickey Matson and the Copperhead ConspiracyIvan Stumpwater
Dinner DateManShort
Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva La Fiesta!Pedro (voice)Video
Deer CrossingCaptain Bailey
Dark CanyonCyrus Parker
Turning PointJoe Johnson
2013BattledogsMax StevensTelevision film
Call Me Crazy: A Five FilmPercyTelevision film
DoonbyLeroy
Dear Secret SantaPastor AveryTelevision film
RecklessFrank WolfeTelevision film
AdonisChick Magnet CEOShort
2014TouchedDr. BeckTelevision film
The Grim SleeperDetective Claymar
You're Not YouJohn
Merry Ex-MasPastor Ed
The Last SongGuestShort
2015To Hell and BackJoeTelevision film
Gallows RoadBob Collins
Delores & Jermaine-Television film
2016The Man in the SiloMarcus Wells
Batman: Bad BloodLucius Fox (voice)Video
God's Not Dead 2Judge Stennis
GhostbustersUncle Bill Jenkins
SpacemanJoe
Infinity TrainAtticus (voice)Short
Heaven SentDonatelloTelevision film
2017High & Outside: A Baseball NoirSanzone
2018Nappily Ever AfterRichard Jones
2020I Love You... ForeverGeorge HenryShort
2021Redemption DayEd Paxton
Ghostbusters: AfterlifeWinston Zeddemore
Beebo Saves ChristmasSanta Claus (voice)
2022Prisoner's DaughterHank
2023ChampionsCoach Phil Peretti
The Retirement PlanJoseph
2024Ghostbusters: Frozen EmpireWinston Zeddemore
TBAOswald: Down the Rabbit HoleOswald the Lucky Rabbit

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1977Man from AtlantisMinionEpisode: "The Disappearances"
1978KingJack CorbinMain Cast
Fantasy IslandJamuEpisode: "Family Reunion/VooDoo"
WinnersTedEpisode: "Journey Together"
Baa Baa Black SheepGeorge 'King George'Episode: "A Little Bit of England"
1979The Incredible HulkLeeEpisode: "Like a Brother"
Roots: The Next GenerationsMuslim at DoorEpisode: "Part VII (1960-1967)"
The White ShadowJohnsonEpisode: "Little Orphan Abner"
Detective SchoolBombacaaEpisode: "Nick Is Smitten"
One Day at a TimeDesk SergeantEpisode: "A Little Larceny"
Highcliffe ManorSmytheMain Cast
1980Skag-Episode: "Pilot"
Too Close for ComfortSam MortonEpisode: "The Bag Lady"
1981Diff'rent StrokesKwameEpisode: "Almost American"
Little House on the PrairieWilliam ThomasEpisode: "Chicago"
Bosom BuddiesRochelleEpisode: "One for You, One for Me"
TaxiTerry CarverEpisode: "Of Mice and Tony"
1982The Dukes of HazzardAveryEpisode: "Dear Diary"
Flamingo RoadChandlerRecurring cast: Season 2
The New Odd CoupleMoses BrownEpisode: "That Was No Lady"
1983WebsterRudyEpisode: "Happy Un-Birthday"
The A-TeamCal FreemanEpisode: "The Taxicab Wars"
1984St. ElsewhereJerry CloseRecurring cast: Season 3
1985The Super Powers Team: Galactic GuardiansVictor Stone/Cyborg (voice)Main Cast: Season 9
1986The Last PrecinctSergeant 'Night Train' LaneMain Cast
It's a LivingDougieEpisode: "The Bar"
Mickey Spillane's Mike HammerDigger LoveEpisode: "Harlem Nocturne"
1987Gimme a Break!PrinceEpisode: "Someday My Prince..."
Full HouseReggie 'The Sandman' MartinEpisode: "Knock Yourself Out"
Pound PuppiesAdditional VoicesRecurring cast: Season 2
1989The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!HimselfEpisode: "Slime Busters"
1990An Evening at the ImprovHimself/HostEpisode: "Episode #5.4"
Cop RockCommander Warren OsborneEpisode: "Pilot"
1990–91Broken BadgesToby BakerMain Cast
1992Angel StreetThurman NickensEpisode: "Pilot - Part 1 & 2"
The Ben Stiller ShowTennis CaptainEpisode: "With Bobcat Goldthwait"
Batman: The Animated SeriesSecurity Guard (voice)Episode: "Joker's Wild"
1993TriBeCaHowardEpisode: "Heros Exoletus"
Wild PalmsTommy LazloMain Cast
Tales from the CryptZambiniEpisode: "Food for Thought"
1994Lifestories: Families in CrisisCoach SeldonEpisode: "A Body to Die For: The Aaron Henry Story"
1997Superman: The Animated SeriesProfessor Felix (voice)Episode: "Action Figures"
1997–2003OzWarden Leo GlynnMain Cast
1998The Gregory Hines ShowJackEpisode: "Carpe Diem"
Arli$$Warden Leo GlynnEpisode: "Fans First"
2000Intimate PortraitHimselfEpisode: "Robin Givens"
2001Touched by an AngelNorm McCloudEpisode: "The Perfect Game"
2003Without a TraceManny AybarEpisode: "Kam Li"
2003–0410-8: Officers on DutySenior Deputy John Henry BarnesMain Cast
2004EverwoodBill HooverEpisode: "The Birds and the Batteries"
2006Celebrity Paranormal ProjectHimselfEpisode: "Wooden Lucy"
Crossing JordanColonel WirthEpisode: "Code of Ethics"
Stargate SG-1Commander Goran PernauxEpisode: "Ethon"
ERColonel James GallantRecurring cast: Season 12
2006–07Desperate HousewivesDetective RidleyRecurring cast: Season 3
2007Cold CaseMoses JonesEpisode: "8:03 AM"
Las VegasBob Casey2 episodes
PsychWilliam GusterEpisode: "Gus's Dad May Have Killed an Old Guy"
2007-08BonesDavid BarronGuest Cast: Season 2-3
2008Private PracticeCaptain FrankEpisode: "Nothing to Talk About"
2008–13The Secret Life of the American TeenagerDr. Ken FieldsRecurring cast
2009Whatever Happened To?HimselfEpisode: "Masters of the Unknown"
Celebrity Ghost StoriesHimselfEpisode: "Anson Williams/Ali Landry/Gina Gershon/Kelly Carlson/Ernie Hudson"
MeteorGeneral BrasserMain Cast
HeroesCaptain LubbockRecurring cast: Season 4
2009–10Law & OrderFrank GibsonRecurring cast: Season 20
2010Childrens HospitalHubert McGrawEpisode: "Joke Overload"
Criminal MindsLieutenant Al GarnerEpisode: "Devil's Night"
2010–13Transformers: PrimeSpecial Agent Bill Fowler (voice)Recurring cast
2011White CollarMr. JeffriesEpisode: "Dentist of Detroit"
TorchwoodStewart OwensEpisode: "Miracle Day: The Middle Men"
Grey's AnatomyBrad McDougallEpisode: "Put Me In, Coach"
How I Met Your MotherHimselfEpisode: "The Rebound Girl"
2011–14Rizzoli & IslesAdmiral FrostGuest Cast: Season 2 & 5
2012UnsungHimselfEpisode: "Ray Parker Jr."
Hart of DixieErnie HayesEpisode: "Snowflakes & Soulmates"
NosferajewCDC DirectorEpisode: "Community Blech"
2012–14Franklin & BashHonorable Lawrence PerryRecurring cast: Season 2 & 4
2012–16Modern FamilyMilesGuest Cast: Season 3-4 & 7-8
2013Guys with KidsThe JudgeEpisode: "Marny's Dad"
Last ResortConrad BuellRecurring cast
Dan Vs.CounselorEpisode: "Summer Camp"
Let's Stay TogetherAnthonyEpisode: "Troy Story"
ScandalCommander Randolph BolesEpisode: "Mrs. Smith Goes to Washington"
IronsideBludsoEpisode: "Uptown Murders"
DadsDetective SwanEpisode: "Comic Book Issues"
Mob CityBunnyRecurring cast
2014Comic Book MenHimselfEpisode: "Stashbusters"
The MillersWalterEpisode: "Dear Diary"
The Haunted HathawaysDuke PrestonEpisode: "Haunted Visitor"
The Lottery-Episode: "Sleep Deprived"
ScorpionBrooksEpisode: "Pilot"
Key & PeeleDadEpisode: "Terrorist Meeting"
Hot in ClevelandHimselfEpisode: "Cold in Cleveland: The Christmas Episode"
2015Once Upon a TimeKing PoseidonEpisode: "Poor Unfortunate Soul"
2015–20Grace and FrankieJacobRecurring cast: Season 1-4 & 6
2016Celebrity Family FeudHimselfEpisode: "Kellie Pickler vs. Lance Bass/Ernie Hudson vs. NeNe Leakes"
Unsung HollywoodHimselfEpisode: "Rudy Ray Moore"
Robot ChickenVarious Roles (voice)Episode: "Blackout Window Heatstroke"
GravesJacob MannRecurring cast: Season 1
2017APBSergeant Ned ConradMain Cast
Angie TribecaPete TribecaEpisode: "Germs on Endearment"
Twin PeaksColonel DavisEpisode: "Part 5 & 7"
Survivor's RemorseAnsell JonesEpisode: "Reparations"
Spider-ManRobbie Robertson (voice)Episode: "Screwball Live"
2018Lethal WeaponAgent PetersonEpisode: "Funny Money"
Blue BloodsPrincipal Darryl WardEpisode: "School of Hard Knocks"
BallersMr. HagertyEpisode: "This Is Not Our World"
2018–24The Family BusinessL.C. DuncanMain Cast
2019Hot StreetsJohn Wayne 'Jet Wayne' Junior (voice)Main Cast: Season 2
ArrowGeneral Roy StewartEpisode: "Spartan"
Infinity TrainAtticus (voice)Main cast (season 1)
2019–20Puppy Dog PalsBuddy (voice)Guest: Season 2, recurring cast: Season 2
L.A.'s FinestJoseph VaughnMain cast
2020Reunited ApartHimselfEpisode: "Who You Gonna Call?"
The Irate GamerHimselfEpisode: "Ghostbusters"
Home Movie: The Princess BridePrince HumperdinckEpisode: "Chapter Eight: Ultimate Suffering"
2021MacGyverMilton BozerEpisode: "H2O + Orthophosphates + Mission City + Corrosion + Origins"
2022City on a HillFranklin WardRecurring cast: Season 3
2022–24Quantum LeapHerbert "Magic" WilliamsMain cast
2023Star Wars: The Bad BatchGrini Millegi (voice)Episode: "Faster"
2024FirebudsChase Thundershock (voice)Episode: "Full-Time Flash/Bubba Trouble"

Documentary

YearTitle
2019Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters

Video games

YearTitleVoice roleNotes
2009Ghostbusters: The Video GameWinston Zeddemore
2015Lego DimensionsWinston Zeddemore
2016Ghostbusters PinballWinston Zeddemore
2019NBA 2K20Israel Bacon
Ghostbusters: The Video Game RemasteredWinston Zeddemore
2022Ghostbusters: Spirits UnleashedWinston Zeddemore

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRef.
2024Saturn AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Television SeriesQuantum LeapNominated
4th Astra TV AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Drama SeriesPending
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